Squatters have taken over an abandoned mansion in the Hollywood Hills, owned by John Powers Middleton, the son of the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. The property has been vacant for over a decade and has become a haven for squatters and taggers, who have left vibrant graffiti all over the home. Despite efforts by neighbors and the police to remove the squatters, they keep returning, causing fear and concern among residents in the ritzy neighborhood.
Residents in the area have reported being subjected to abuse from the squatters, with one individual even being attacked with a steel rebar and beer bottle. The taggers have also started spreading their graffiti to other properties in the neighborhood. The owner of the mansion, Middleton, purchased the property in 2012 but failed to comply with an abatement order issued by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety in 2022, resulting in the city building a fence around the property to secure it.
The neglected mansion, estimated to be worth $6.53 million, has become a public safety issue for the neighborhood, with concern for both neighbors and the surrounding community. Despite efforts to remove the squatters, they continue to return, posing a challenge for law enforcement. Middleton’s ownership of the property has been confirmed by the Philadelphia Phillies, but no other family members have any investment or control over the California property.
The situation with the abandoned mansion has raised questions about the enforcement of property laws and the responsibilities of property owners in maintaining vacant properties. Neighbors have expressed frustration with the lack of action from law enforcement and the challenges they face in addressing the ongoing issue. The graffiti-covered mansion has become an eyesore in the neighborhood, with broken windows, damaged walls, and a pool left neglected.
The defiance by the squatters and taggers in returning to the property highlights the complexities of dealing with vacant properties and the legal loopholes that allow individuals to occupy and vandalize abandoned spaces. The ongoing issues with the mansion have prompted calls for urgent action from local authorities to address the safety concerns and property violations. Despite efforts to secure the property and remove the unwanted guests, the situation remains unresolved, leaving neighbors fearful and frustrated. The case of the abandoned mansion serves as a cautionary tale of the challenges faced by communities in dealing with neglected and abandoned properties.
